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Kannapolis City Council looks at quality of life

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View the presentations fron City Council's retreat here.

By Karen Cimino Wilson | Independent Tribune

Published: December 4, 2009

Kannapolis City Council members discussed ways to improve the city's quality of life during the first day of their two-day annual retreat on Thursday.

The retreat discussion focused on beautification of the city, recycling, historic preservation and improvements to parks and recreation facilities and events.

The retreat began with a report on the city's quality of life survey results, which surveyed 45 residents who are newcomers and relocated to Kannapolis to work at the N.C. Research Campus.

It also included responses from 57 citizens, which included the seven council members, seven rotary members and members of local boards and commissions.

The survey showed that newcomers connected to the N.C. Research Campus want more coffee shops, restaurants, specialty shops and nightlife. They also said they would like more pedestrian and cycling facilities. Long-term residents wanted better safety and improved streets and traffic.

Council members and city staff discussed improving signs marking city limits and entrance into the city. Council members said they also would like to focus on the gateways to the city. Improved medians, community gardens, street planters and hanging planters were discussed as possibilities for improving the city's first impression on visitors.

Council members said they also want to reduce littering throughout the city. City Manager Mike Legg said the city could look into expanding current programs to encourage civic groups to get involved in reducing litter along city streets and in medians.

Gary Mills, the city's parks and recreation director, presented an idea to expand the city's summer music series into a music festival, drawing visitors regionally and offering both free and paid music entertainment over a several-day festival. He estimated the festival could start as soon as 2011 if the council supports the idea.

Kannapolis City Council will meet again today from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the David. H. Murdock Core Lab Building at the North Carolina Research Campus.